Tootfinder

Vice-president JD Vance appeared to partially row back on Donald Trump’s outlandish claims that every adult citizen in the US would receive $5,000 if the Republicans retain the House and Senate in the midterm elections.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000,” Trump told a roaring crowd, during a nearly two-hour long speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas in which he also urged voters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot”.
But Vance, speaking af…

US citizens will receive $5,000 if Republicans win midterms, Trump claims in lengthy convention speech
President makes offer that would cost US over $1tn and asks voters to ‘pretend that I’m on the ballot’ despite being deeply unpopular among electorate

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Michigan,
embraced Donald Trump’s suggestion that the two represent
“VERY DIFFERENT” versions of the US,
-- pledging to fight inequality while the president is “making billions of dollars off of you”.
In a Saturday night post on his Truth Social platform, Trump shared an image of himself and the first lady, Melania Trump, beside a photo of El-Sayed, who is Muslim, and his wife, Sarah Jukaku, wearing a hijab.

Abdul El-Sayed embraces Trump claim he represents ‘very different’ America
Michigan nominee, who spoke to Obama after primary win, vows to fight inequality as president ‘makes billions off you’

Scott Wiener was the only Democrat in the Senate to vote against this bill closing a loophole that lets corporations not report toxic chemical discharges. Those others are all Republicans. #SB954 #sfpol

Indivisible SF (@IndivisibleSF@sfba.social)
Attached: 1 image Ask Your Assemblymember: Vote for SB 954 to Close the CEQA Loophole Last session, the California legislature punched a loophole in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which would exempt industries from reporting on releases of toxic chemicals, among other things, when proposing to build facilities. SB 954 will close that loophole. After passage in the Senate, it is now up for passage in the Assembly. Call your Assemblymember: vote yes on SB 954! https://indivi…

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Shah 
and Troy Jackson are now part of the growing field of candidates seeking the nod to face Susan Collins in November.
Other declared contenders include former political operative Jordan Wood who ran unsuccessfully for the nomination in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District,
Social worker Paige Loud who also ran in the 2nd District race,
Maine Rep. Valli Geiger of Rockland,
Maine Beer Co. co-founder Dan Kleban,
…

Shenna Bellows enters open Democratic US Senate race
The secretary of state previously faced off against Sen. Susan Collins in 2014 and lost.

Katie Miller, an erstwhile Trump administration official and wife of Stephen Miller,
once relied on Dr Anthony Fauci to get through Covid.
Now, she’s calling for his imprisonment
– a reversal that illuminates the politicization of Fauci and of public health writ large,
a trend that could have major repercussions for America’s preparedness for future crises.
A US Senate committee will vote on Thursday morning over whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress

Why making Anthony Fauci the enemy will harm US public health for years
Republicans are trying to scapegoat the infectious disease expert, even as they have gutted healthcare amid outbreaks of measles, cyclosporiasis and Ebola

"The US Senate on Thursday rejected a largely symbolic effort to limit Donald Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran..."
I think you mean the largely symbolic Senate...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/30/donald-trump-senate-iran…

US Senate rejects bid to rein in Trump’s authority over Iran war
Measure fails 49-50 as US launches new retaliatory attacks in Iran and lawmakers question the prolonged conflict

(Preamble: this is not a defense of Platner in any way.)
There is a distinct moderate Democrat bias when a phrase like "ending the “genocide” in Gaza." in an article.
Not sure why journalist's (who should know better) use quotation marks around the word genocide. If they don't want to use that word, there are many other descriptors they could use.
Democrats risk blowing chance to keep Trump’s presidency in check

Graham Platner debacle puts Democrats in grave danger of blowing it in the midterms
The meltdown in Maine’s Senate race risks the Democrats’ opportunity to turn Trump into a lame duck president.

(Preamble: this is not a defense of Platner in any way.)
There is a distinct moderate Democrat bias when a phrase like "ending the “genocide” in Gaza." in an article.
Not sure why journalist's (who should know better) use quotation marks around the word genocide. If they don't want to use that word, there are many other descriptors they could use.
Democrats risk blowing chance to keep Trump’s presidency in check

Graham Platner debacle puts Democrats in grave danger of blowing it in the midterms
The meltdown in Maine’s Senate race risks the Democrats’ opportunity to turn Trump into a lame duck president.

“Firing every remaining member of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission
months before the midterms
is a brazen attempt to seize control of our elections before a single vote is cast,”
Chuck Schumer wrote on X.
“He is gutting the independent agency that certifies voting systems and helps election officials run secure elections.”
Schumer said Senate Democrats will fight this move.
“The American people—not Donald Trump—will decide the 2026 election.”

‘Brazen attempt to seize control’: Democratic leader vows to fight Trump’s election commission firings – live
Politicians and advocates say dismissals are ‘deeply concerning and part of president’s ‘relentless efforts to interfere with elections’

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

One Source of Paxton's Wealth: A Cell Tower at a Hospital He Knew Well (Lauren McGaughy/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/us/paxton-cell-tower-company-texas-senate.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4VA.h32Y.Lb7qirJexLC7&smid=url-share
http://www.memeorandum.com/260810/p94#a260810p94

Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, who championed a huge data center beside the Great Salt Lake, lost his Republican primary on Tuesday after voter backlash (Jack Healy/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/u…

Utah Senate President Loses Republican Primary After Data Center Backlash
The upset of J. Stuart Adams represented one of the strongest examples of how the data center issue has affected elections.

Graham Platner ends U.S. Senate campaign in Maine
Graham Platner,
the populist political newcomer who Democrats had hoped could flip a critical U.S. Senate seat in Maine,
ended his campaign Wednesday night
after a woman he previously dated publicly accused him of sexual assault.

“We believe for the movement to continue, it can’t be me
and for that reason, we are suspending campaign operations,”
Platner said Wednesday night.

The development, a…

Graham Platner ends U.S. Senate campaign in Maine
The Democratic nominee left the race following an allegation of sexual assault. Maine Democrats have until July 27 to choose a replacement candidate to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R).

"Ailing senator refuses to step down" (1992)
"Since he was hospitalized in July, Burdick has refused to give interviews or allow reporters to visit, relying instead on terse statements prepared by aides describing him as feisty and alert."
He died 4 days after this article appeared.
#NorthDakota

The front-runner for the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin is State Representative Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist.
While her victory on Tuesday is assured by most accounts, where she does well — or less well — could reveal clues as to whether the socialist brand can work in a general election in a purple state
Left-wing candidates have harnessed enthusiasm and turned it into actual votes by engaging in superior messaging and organization on the ground.

What to Watch in Tuesday’s Primary Elections in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Carolina
The left and the middle continue to battle in Democratic primaries for governor in Wisconsin and Senate in Minnesota. In South Carolina, all eyes are on Darline Graham.

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/27/rfk-jr-senate-confirmation-hearing-testimony-vaccines
It's always the ones you most expect…

The longshot California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton
pledged this week to abolish the state’s department of motor vehicles if he is elected
He proposed transferring some functions of the DMV online and punting routine car title and plate transactions to local county offices.
However, it is unlikely the state’s DMV could be abolished.
The California legislature, in which Democrats hold a supermajority in both the state assembly and senate, would need to pass H…

Steve Hilton vows to abolish California DMV if elected governor
Republican calls department of motor vehicles a ‘bloated bureaucracy’ as he seeks to boost his longshot campaign

Democratic frustration and worries were growing on Wednesday
as Graham Platner hung on to the party’s nomination for Senate in Maine nearly 48 hours after a woman accused him of rape.
Despite losing every prominent allyand major sources of party funding,
Mr. Platner has seemed to hold out hope of influencing the choice of his replacement in the state’s crucial Senate race.
The Maine Democratic Party, which is facing a Monday legal deadline for him to drop out so it ca…

Democrats Grow Frustrated as Graham Platner Resists Dropping Out Quickly in Maine
Two days after a woman accused Graham Platner of rape, he had not given up his nomination for Senate in Maine, raising worries about whether and how his party might find a replacement.

Trump’s Super PAC Starts to Unload Its War Chest,
With New Group Booking $47 Million
A recently created Republican group tied to the president’s super PAC
is pumping cash into half a dozen key midterm races,
with the largest amounts going toward Senate contests in Michigan and Ohio

Trump’s PAC Unloads War Chest, With $49 Million Headed to Key Midterm Races
A recently created Republican group tied to the president’s super PAC is pumping cash into half a dozen key midterm races, with the largest amounts going toward Senate contests in Michigan and Ohio.

Why I'm not running for US Senate (Patrick Dempsey/Portland Press-Herald)
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/08/why-im-not-running-for-us-senate-patrick-dempsey/?uuid=undefined&lid=undefined
http://www.memeorandum.com/260708/p114#a260708p114

Nothing good can come of ignoring red flags, from "what about their side", and generally from giving up our own principles for a win.
#Maine #Platner #Senate

AeS has better policy positions, HS has a solid legislative record. They BOTH have style issues. This is why I was for McMorrow (good policy & legislative chops) but that was not to be.
The fact that there’s such a breadth of Fash trying to stop AeS is telling. They don’t want him compared to Mike Rogers, the most boring establishment candidate alive.
HS’s style — careful, wooden, scripted, centrist — makes her a shit opponent for Rogers. @…

Bill Cole (@scconsult.com)
It is incredibly annoying to see so much obvious organized *international* tooting/skeeting in the Michigan Democratic Party primary for the US Senate. Especially since most of it seems to be aimed at making them both look bad. Like a German I saw on the Fediverse concern-trolling polls…

A top official with the Maine Democratic Party said on Tuesday night that
Graham Platner’s team had been trying to “put their thumb on the scale”
in the party’s planning for his replacement as the Democratic nominee for Senate,
-- but that he would have “no role” in the selection process.
“We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner’s team that they have no role in determining our U.S. Senate nominee,
nor in determining what this process looks like,”
D…

Top Maine Democrat Says Platner Will Have ‘No Role’ in Picking Next Nominee
A top state party official said that Graham Platner’s team had “repeatedly” tried to “put their thumb on the scale,” but he would not influence how the party chose a new Senate candidate.

Michigan U.S. Senate primary results
https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/michigan-primary-results-us-senate/#Dem

Michigan U.S. Senate Primary Election Live Results 2026
Live results for the August 4, 2026 Michigan U.S. Senate primary. Track election results with real-time vote counts, county-level maps and race calls from AP.

Platner Has Slight Edge Over Collins in Tight Maine Senate Race, Poll Finds (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/politics/collins-platner-maine-senate-poll.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260629/p9#a260629p9

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

“Maine Democratic Party leadership takes seriously our responsibility to hold every candidate who seeks to represent our state to the highest standard,”
reads a statement signed by chair Charlie Dingman, vice-chair Imke Schessler, and executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson.
“Over the past several weeks, multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner.
Today’s statements take those allegations even further.”
“Maine Democratic Party leade…

Democrats begin withdrawing endorsements of Graham Platner after Senate candidate is accused of sexual assault – live
Democrats call allegation against the Maine US Senate candidate ‘serious and credible’ and ‘troubling’; Democratic nominee to ‘reflect’ on ‘best path forward’

Senate Bows to Reality, Leaving Trump's Voting Bill Undone (Michael Gold/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/08/us/politics/senate-bows-to-reality-leaving-trumps-voting-bill-undone.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260808/p46#a260808p46

New Hampshire voters head to the polls Tuesday for primaries that will set up a closely watched Senate contest
– a vulnerable open seat Democrats must defend if they are to have any shot at reclaiming the upper chamber.
The race opened when Jeanne Shaheen, 79,
the state’s three‑term incumbent Democratic senator,
announced her retirement.
Congressman Chris Pappas,
who represents New Hampshire’s first district,
is seeking the nomination and enters the…

New Hampshire voters head to polls in race crucial to Democrats’ Senate hopes
Centrist Chris Pappas faces progressive primary challenger Karishma Manzur while Republicans eye chance to flip seat

The democratic socialist and his Fox News interrogator circled each other for almost 15 minutes,
disagreeing on everything from homeless encampments to whether the U.S. Senate is truly democratic.
But it was a question about city-owned grocery stores in New York that left the host speechless.
Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America,
declared that if city-owned stores brought down prices enough to drum people out …

A Democratic Socialist Seeks New Voters in an Unlikely Place: Fox News
Gustavo Gordillo, a leader of the New York D.S.A., wants to reach new voters. But in interviews with conservative media, the backlash can be sharp.

Graham Platner ends U.S. Senate campaign in Maine (Washington Post)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/08/graham-platner-ends-us-senate-campaign-maine/
http://www.memeorandum.com/260708/p126#a260708p126

Michigan is not the only state with primaries on Tuesday.
In Missouri, voters will weigh whether to nominate former US representative Cori Bush, who is running to return to the chamber against Wesley Bell in a race punctuated by the war in Gaza and outside spending by pro-Israel groups.
And in Washington state, voters will decide which two candidates to elevate in the third congressional district, where blue-dog Democratic representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking re-elec…

Michigan votes in key Senate primary as Democrats battle over party’s future
Progressive Abdul El-Sayed leads in polls against centrist Haley Stevens as party looks to regain control of US Senate

Chris Pappas Defeats Progressive Challenger in New Hampshire Senate Primary (Emily Davies/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/new-hampshire-senate-pappas-manzur.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260908/p154#a260908p154

Graham Platner can be replaced as the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine
⭐️ if he withdraws from the race by next Monday,
⭐️ and state law would then give the state Democratic Party until July 27 to name a replacement.
Maine Democrats would be in uncharted terrain if Mr. Platner does exit the contest
after a Politico report that he sexually assaulted a woman he had dated.
He denied the allegation but said he was taking time to “reflect” on his political path …

Who Might Replace Graham Platner if He Drops Out of the Maine Senate Race?
Graham Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws in the next week. If he does, Maine Democrats would face an uncertain two-week race to choose a replacement.

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

A new, bipartisan bill could allow Trump to drop 100 percent tariffs on virtually any country he likes,
for as long as he likes,
and with pretty much bulletproof legal authority to do so;
Which means even the Supreme Court couldn’t bail out Congress (or the rest of us) next time.
This is all happening through the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act,
which is rapidly moving through Congress with broad bipartisan support.
It is expected to clear the S…

Senate Voting to Give Trump a Tariff Nuke
A bill supposedly aimed at Russia is really an unprecedented new tariff power grab—yet prominent Democrats are backing it.

Graham Platner drops out of Maine Senate race after sexual assault claim sends Democrats fleeing his campaign (Eric Garcia/The Independent)
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/graham-platner-maine-senate-exit-democrats-b3010473.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260708/p144#a260708p144

The Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee
🔥voted to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress
after a bitter hearing last week,
where the retired public health official invoked the fifth amendment
for fear of self-incrimination and possible prosecution by Republican lawmakers,
who have routinely vilified him for his handling of the Covid-19 response.
The vote was adopted along party lines.
This came after several attempts from s…

Senate committee holds Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress – live
Republican majority voted to hold the retired health official in contempt after hearing where he repeatedly invoked the fifth amendment

Senate Democrats Will Train Staff as Election Observers (Michael Gold/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/senate-democrats-will-train-staff-as-election-observers.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260625/p6#a260625p6

A Senate committee voted Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony S. Fauci,
the scientist who led the country’s Covid response,
in contempt of Congress for declining to answer questions during a hearing last week.
But will the courts uphold it?
Dr. Fauci invoked his constitutional right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent,
refusing to respond to a single question during the three-hour session of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
Republicans on the panel, …

What Is Fauci Being Accused of and Why Is He Being Held in Contempt?
The case is unique, legal scholars say, because of the tension between the Fifth Amendment and the reach of a presidential pardon. The potential consequences could be grave.

Utah Senate President Loses Primary After Data Center Backlash (Jack Healy/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/us/j-stuart-adams-utah-senate-data-center.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260624/p138#a260624p138

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic US Senate candidate in Michigan,
has hit back at Republican vice-president JD Vance’s onslaught against him,
saying it is “evil” to deprive people of healthcare and affordable groceries.
Vance, in a Monday speech that railed against undocumented immigrants, cast El-Sayed as representative of “terrible evil”
and as someone who fights for “one group at the expense of others”.
El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim US senator if …

Democratic contender Abdul El-Sayed hits back at JD Vance over ‘evil’ taunt
Michigan Senate candidate accuses vice-president of ‘dog whistle’ and says Republican policies are true evil

New evidence casts doubt on RFK Jr testimony before Senate (Michelle R Smith/The Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/rfk-jr-senate-testimony-samoa-visit
http://www.memeorandum.com/260625/p64#a260625p64

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat gained endorsements this week from the national Indivisible organization and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
The former public health official is competing against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak in the Democratic primary.
Ocasio-Cortez, a congresswoman from New York and an important leader in the progressive movement, decided to throw her weight behind …

Home
Abdul El-Sayed is running for US Senate in Michigan to get money out of politics, put money in your pocket, and pass Medicare for All.

Senate Votes to Check Trump's War Powers, Rebuking Him on Iran (Robert Jimison/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/us/politics/senate-trump-war-powers-iran.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260623/p101#a260623p101

The US Senate voted to confirm Jay Clayton as the director of national intelligence on Tuesday,
giving Trump another key ally directing the nation’s intelligence apparatus.
The tally, 51-47, fell along party lines, with all Republicans supporting his nomination and all Democrats opposing it.
Clayton, currently the US attorney for the southern district of New York, will replace Bill Pulte,
a staunch Trump loyalist who had been temporarily serving in the role since June…

Senate confirms Trump ally Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence
At confirmation hearing, Clayton sidestepped questions about 2020 election and declined to say Trump lost

The two Republican senators who threatened to block Todd Blanche’s bid to permanently become attorney general announced
they will advance his nomination
after he confirmed in writing that a planned $1.8bn slush fund for Donald Trump’s allies was dead.
The US Senate judiciary committee is due to vote on Tuesday on whether to approve the nomination of Blanche,
who is already acting attorney general,
and send it to the wider Senate for a vote.
Outgoing lawmak…

Republican holdouts say they will back Todd Blanche for attorney general
Move comes after Blanche gives senators written assurance he will drop Trump’s $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund

us_congress: US Congressional co-sponsorship (1973-2016)
Two temporal networks of bill co-sponsorship tendencies among US Congresspeople, from 1973 (93rd Congress) to 2016 (114th Congress). Edges are signed, indicating the presence of a significant tendency to co-sponsor, or tendency to not co-sponsor, bills. Two networks per year, one for each chamber (House, Senate). Each file contains the signed network for a chamber of congress (H = House, S = Senate) in one session (e.g. 93 = 93rd…

Obama and El-Sayed Spoke to Discuss Unity After Ugly Michigan Primary (Tim Balk/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/us/politics/obama-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-senate.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260809/p20#a260809p20

In Michigan, a Former Trump Critic Shifts Toward Election Skepticism (Beth Reinhard/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/us/politics/mike-rogers-michigan-senate-elections.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260809/p6#a260809p6

Tuesday's Michigan primary will be, perhaps, the most contentious Democratic primary this year
– and a test for the party’s future.
Who can win this purple state in November, and potentially push the party towards a majority in the Senate?
Recent surveys have shown Abdul El-Sayed pulling ahead.
A nonpartisan Emerson poll this week of likely Democratic voters found 54% intended to vote for El-Sayed compared to 39% for Haley Stevens,
And a stark age divide:

Democrats face most contentious – and crucial – test yet with Michigan primary
Voters are faced with the thorny question of electability: who can win this purple state in November and potentially push Democrats toward a US Senate majority?

The Senate is due to begin voting as early as Monday on the nomination of Manhattan US attorney Jay Clayton,
Donald Trump’s pick to be the ⁠top US spy,
and he ⁠is expected to be approved within days despite a tense confirmation hearing.
If approved to be the director of national intelligence,
Clayton would fill a role vacated in June when Tulsi Gabbard stepped down after ⁠a tenure marked by clashes with congressional Democrats,
who accused her of advancing Trump…

Trump backs Pete Hegseth amid renewed tensions with Iran – live
Trump said he thinks his defense secretary ‘has done a great job’

The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth told the Senate on Tuesday that the US-Israel war on Iran had
cost $37.5 billion so far,
as he faced lawmakers furious over the conflict’s soaring price tag and the deaths last week of three American service members.
During an appearance before the Senate appropriations committee, Hegseth,
whose opening remarks were repeatedly interrupted by protesters,
provided an updated account of the war’s cost
– up from previous …

Hegseth tells Senate war on Iran has so far cost $37.5bn at hearing to request more funds
Defense secretary has asked Senate appropriations committee for nearly $88bn more to continue effort

Trump Keeps Undercutting Republicans' Message, Squandering His Own Trifecta (Carl Hulse/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/trump-senate-republicans-undercutting-message.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260625/p111#a260625p111

Trump has defended controversial plans for a $1.8 billion slush fund
even as they threaten to derail the nomination of his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche for US attorney general.
Blanche “should be immediately approved” by the US Senate, the president declared in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday morning,
defending the payout scheme proposed by his officials in the Department of Justice as it holds up Blanche’s confirmation.
Blanche, Trump's forme…

Trump defends $1.8bn slush fund that is holding up Todd Blanche confirmation
President calls for former personal defense lawyer to be ‘immediately approved’ as attorney general

US Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by Trump, wins the GOP primary for Senate in Louisiana (Associated Press)
https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-senate-election-letlow-fleming-96d33228504ee6bde5c38b208fecfdc3
http://www.memeorandum.com/260627/p51#a260627p51

Which Republican Senate Candidates Are Skipping Trump's Convention? (Kellen Browning/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/republican-senate-candidates-trump-convention.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260908/p85#a260908p85

In the Senate today, lawmakers plan to question US trade representative Jamieson Greer.
Ron Wyden, the Senate finance committee’s top Democrat, said that
Donald Trump’s “tariff spree” has “hammered” farmers and small business owners in his home state of Oregon
– particularly in communities which voted for the president in 2024.
“Like so many other promises, Donald Trump has made to working people, The second he set foot in the White House, he did nothing to put Americ…

Trump trade envoy grilled about ‘tariff spree’ and price rises for Americans in Senate hearing – US politics live
Jamieson Greer faces senators’ questions about latest round of tariffs and impacts on cost of living of Trump policies

New Hampshire primary kicks off battle for one of nation's key open Senate seats (Richard Cowan/Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-hampshire-primary-kicks-off-battle-one-nations-key-open-senate-seats-2026-09-08/
http://www.memeorandum.com/260908/p24#a260908p24

2026 Midterms
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2026 Midterm Races — House & Senate
Every competitive 2026 House and Senate race, with side-by-side candidate comparisons and fundraising data.

Schumer and Gillibrand call on Graham Platner to 'immediately withdraw' from Maine Senate race after rape allegation (Victor Nava/New York Post)
https://nypost.com/2026/07/06/us-news/schumer-and-gillibrand-call-on-graham-platner-to-immediately-withdraw-from-maine-senate-race-after-rape-allegation/
http://www.memeorandum.com/260708/p1#a260708p1

Anthony Fauci, the former veteran director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Niaid),
invoked the Fifth Amendment during a hearing before the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
During his long history in the government, he many times appeared before committee’s for hearings and respects the value of oversight.
“However, given Senator Paul’s obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution,
his repeated slanderou…

Anthony Fauci invokes fifth amendment right not to answer questions in Senate hearing on Covid-19 – live
Medical adviser says he invokes right to refrain from answering questions, accusing Rand Paul of having ‘obvious obsession’ with him

Trump to Meet With G.O.P. Senators Amid New Divisions (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/us/politics/trump-senate-republicans-meeting.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260624/p15#a260624p15

Maine Democrats hit reset on their chaotic Senate primary on Saturday
as Troy Jackson officially secured the party’s nomination.
He took the stage at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor to rapturous applause, a standing ovation
and Noah Kahan’s Northern Attitude blaring over the speakers.
“This is the absolute honor of my life,” Jackson said.
“If you’ve ever been ignored, underestimated, pushed around or told that you have to wait your turn while the rich cut t…

Troy Jackson secures Democratic nomination for Maine Senate seat after chaotic primary race
Progressive former state senate president gains nomination after Graham Platner dropped out over sexual assault allegations

Elon Musk Targets Democrats on Transgender Issues in Key Senate Races (Neil Vigdor/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/elon-musk-transgender-midterms-democrats.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260908/p143#a260908p143

US senator Mitch McConnell is still not cleared to return to work, his office confirmed on Monday,
six weeks after he was hospitalized after a fall at his home.
An update released alongside a new photograph of the Republican lawmaker – one of the highest-profile figures in Congress, as a former Senate majority leader – said he was undergoing “intense physical therapy” and is “working hard” to get back to his duties.
In the statement, he said that he wouldn’t be able to make…

Mitch McConnell still not cleared to resume Senate duties, office says
Kentucky senator has been absent and not seen in public since mid-June after he was hospitalized due to a fall

Newly obtained documents indicate that the US health secretary,
Robert F Kennedy Jr, lied during two congressional hearings last year,
when he told lawmakers who held the key to his confirmation that a 2019 visit to Samoa had “nothing to do with vaccines”.
Letters obtained by the Guardian and the Associated Press contradict that testimony.
In one he wrote to the Samoan prime minister before the trip, Kennedy explicitly said he wanted to study the measles, mumps and ru…

RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate
Letters obtained by Guardian and AP contradict testimony that 2019 visit to Samoa had ‘nothing to do with vaccines’

Abortion Rights Group Endorses Platner Over Collins in Maine (Lisa Lerer/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/22/us/politics/platner-collins-maine-senate-abortion.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260622/p116#a260622p116

Troy Jackson is the frontrunner for Maine Democrats
What happens next?
A reminder of the next steps of the frantic replacement process in the Maine Senate race now that Troy Jackson appears poised to clinch the Democratic nomination.
Over the weekend, all 16 counties elected 500 delegates who will vote in a special convention in Bangor on Saturday,
with the remaining delegates coming from the state Democratic party committee.
This will the formal process of selec…

Maine Democrats rally around Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner in crucial Senate race – US politics live
Former state legislator in strong position to become Democratic nominee after several candidates drop out over the weekend

Republicans Again Block War Powers Measure in the Senate (Robert Jimison/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/us/politics/republicans-iran-war-powers-senate.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260616/p146#a260616p146

Money Out of Politics,
Money in Your Pocket,
Medicare for All
Abdul El-Sayed gave a master class at n how to debate maga - opponents
https://abdulforsenate.com/

Home
Abdul El-Sayed is running for US Senate in Michigan to get money out of politics, put money in your pocket, and pass Medicare for All.

Senate's latest war powers resolution fails in 49-50 vote
as some Republicans side with Democrats
The latest attempt by Congress to rein-in Donald Trump’s attacks in the Middle East failed in the Senate on Thursday.
The war powers resolution failed in a 49-50 vote.
Democratic senator John Fetterman voted with Republicans to sink the measure.
But notably, Republicans senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul voted in favor of the motion to prevent T…

Senate’s latest effort to halt Trump’s Iran hostilities fails in 49-50 vote as some Republicans side with Democrats – live
Republicans senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul voted in favor of the motion to prevent Trump from continuing hostilities against Iran

Voters who left the Democratic Party over Gaza return for the recent progressive push
Michigan Senate nominee El-Sayed and others have re-energized one-time Democratic voters who abandoned the party under Biden
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/a

‘I hate Democrats, but I love Abdul’: voters who left over Gaza return for progressive push
Michigan Senate nominee and others have re-energized one-time Democratic voters who abandoned party under Biden

Maine Democratic Party Says Platner Will Have 'No Role' in Picking Next Nominee (Shane Goldmacher/New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/us/politics/graham-platner-maine-senate-democrats.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/260707/p145#a260707p145

Donald Trump created the National Design Studio (NDS) by executive order on 21 August 2025,
ostensibly to overhaul federal websites and digital services.
The office sits within the executive office of the president as a “temporary organization”,
a designation that places it outside the Senate confirmation process,
outside the financial disclosure system applied to most federal appointees
and outside the inspector general’s jurisdiction, which covers cabinet dep…

‘It’s dangerous and it’s going to erode trust’: redesign of US government websites stokes surveillance fears
The National Design Studio, staffed by Doge veterans, installed visitor-tracking software on vital federal websites

Not another Trump sycophant': Democrats lambast Trump's nomination of Overton for FDA chief
And we’re already getting some sense from senators of how that might go. Democrat Patty Murray, of Washington, who sits on the Senate health committee, shared this on X:
Heidi Overton is a far-right, anti-abortion extremist who has no business leading the FDA.
The American people deserve someone who will put science and facts FIRST,
not another Trump sycophant who will …

‘Not another Trump sycophant’: Democrats blast Trump’s nomination of Heidi Overton for FDA chief – live
The abortion opponent stood next to the president as he made false claims about vaccines last week

Peggy Flanagan,
the progressive lieutenant governor of Minnesota,
clinched the victory in the state’s Democratic primary for US Senate,
beating out moderate US representative Angie Craig.
The AP called the race, with Flanagan leading with nearly 59% of the vote.

Minnesota progressive wins Senate primary over anti-ICE sentiments, as Wisconsin governor’s race remains close – live
Peggy Flanagan sweeps Minnesota Senate primary; in Wisconsin, moderate David Crowley and Democratic socialist Francesca Hong face tight race to be Democratic nominee for governor

Trump’s endorsement has appeared to be a golden ticket in some Republican primaries
-- but it has come up short in others.
This month, Republican primary voters rejected his choices in governor’s races in Iowa and Georgia.
And Trump shifted to what many saw as a face-saving dual endorsement in South Carolina.
In an interview, challenger Fleming contended that the dynamic in the Louisiana Republican primary race had “completely changed” in the runoff,
adding th…

What to Watch in Louisiana’s Republican Senate Runoff
Saturday’s election will be the latest test of President Trump’s influence in G.O.P. contests.

Trump expressed confidence in his defense secretary and said he thinks his Hegseth “has done a great job”.
Trump has said that Hegseth and others led him to believe that Iran was actively preparing to attack the United States if Washington did not strike first.
They advised him that the situation with Iran was rapidly approaching “a point of no return”
and advocated for pre-emptive military action.
Trump also claimed to reporters on Air Force One that Iran requested …

Trump backs Pete Hegseth amid renewed tensions with Iran – live
Trump said he thinks his defense secretary ‘has done a great job’

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico
is pushing for one of Texas’ most important swing counties to
drop plans to close nearly a third of its polling places before November’s midterms.
Amid public outcry, the Commissioners Court for Tarrant County
— which contains Fort Worth and borders Dallas
— plans to hold a vote on Tuesday on whether to shutter 92 of the polling places used in the 2022 election,
many of which serve the city’s poorer and minori…

Talarico Protests as Texas Swing County Plans to Close 92 Polling Places | Common Dreams
​“The most powerful people in this county, the most powerful people in this country, don’t want us to be able to vote easily."

Mitch ⁠McConnell, US senator ⁠from Kentucky,
was admitted to ‌the ‌hospital ‌on Sunday morning, ‌a spokesperson ⁠said in a statement.
“Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care,” the statement read.
In recent years, McConnell has publicly struggled with his health,
raising questions on whether he will finish out his current Senate term,
set to end in January 2027.

It was early Sunday morning and Dr Annie Andrews was far from the political fray, dropping her youngest daughter off at a summer camp, when she heard the news.
“It was shocking and unbelievable,” she says of the death of Lindsey Graham,
a Republican senator who defined South Carolina politics for a generation aged 71.
“It’s a profound moment for the whole state of South Carolina.”
For more than a year Andrews,
a Democrat, had been building a formidable grassroot…

Meet the South Carolina Democrat looking to flip Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat
Dr Annie Andrews says her ‘mission remains the same’ as she now aims to unseat Darline Graham, sister of the late Republican senator

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked the advancement of a must-pass defense bill in protest of Donald Trump’s resumption of hostilities with Iran.
The hold up of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) comes amid the fiercest exchange in fire between the countries in weeks,
which has amplified frustration among Democrats that the US remains involved in the conflict despite the passage last month of a war powers resolution intended to force a ceasefire.
Chuck Schumer, t…

Senate Democrats block advancement of defense bill to protest Trump’s hostilities with Iran
Chuck Schumer says Republicans are ‘ignoring the nation’s most urgent national security crisis’ amid US exchange of fire with Iran

Let’s talk about the billionaires
— the folks cutting the line while the rest of us pay the bill.
They don’t need another champion in Congress.
I’m not going to the Senate to fight for guys like Elon Musk,
and I don’t believe in tax cuts for the wealthiest people on the planet.
That might not be a popular opinion in Washington, but here in Maine, the vast majority of folks would agree.
Except Susan Collins.
Susan Collins has hardly met a billionaire…

Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
Troy Jackson is ready to flip Maine's Senate seat and unseat Susan Collins once and for all. He's a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, a lifelong labor champion, and former Maine Senate President, who's proven he can win — by 20 points — in a district carried by both Susan Collins and Donald Trump.

Two Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee,
who lost their seats after defying President Trump,
threatened on Wednesday to block Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general
over a deal he cut to settle Mr. Trump’s lawsuit against the I.R.S.
The senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina,
accused Mr. Blanche of refusing to put on paper his promise to kill aspects of the deal.
In June, Mr. Blanche said he would drop a proposed…

Senators Cornyn and Tillis Threaten to Block Blanche Nomination Over Trump’s IRS Deal
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis accused the attorney general nominee of refusing to put on paper his promise to kill aspects of the deal he cut to settle President Trump’s suit against the agency.

State Representative Angie Nixon of Jacksonville,
a progressive firebrand who ran an underdog campaign,
won the Democratic nomination for Senate in Florida, according to The Associated Press,
the latest left-wing victory against establishment Democrats.
In a huge upset, Ms. Nixon, 42, defeated Alex Vindman,
a former national security official who was a top witness in President Trump’s first impeachment trial.
His entry was largely welcomed by Democratic Pa…

Angie Nixon Scores Upset Win in Florida Senate Primary
Angie Nixon faces another difficult test this November against a Republican incumbent heavily favored to win.

Wyoming Primary:
One of the most conservative states has a legislature divided between a hard-right House and a merely right Senate.
Ultraconservatives want a complete takeover in the Aug. 18 primaries
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/us/elec…

In This State, an Intense Fight in the G.O.P. for Control of the Right
Wyoming, one of the most conservative states, has a legislature divided between a hard-right House and a merely right Senate. Ultraconservatives want a complete takeover in the Aug. 18 primaries.

In one of the first ads of his campaign to represent Kansas in the US Senate,
the Democrat Adam Hamilton stands grilling steaks at a barbecue and attacks his opponent,
Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican,
for supporting “tariffs and war”.
Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932,
and more than half a century has passed since one of their nominees even came close.
But he and his supporters believe circumstances have conspired to end thi…

Primary elections are taking place in Oklahoma today and a closely watched run-off is underway in Georgia,
as Donald Trump’s iron grip on the Republican party faces its next test.
In Washington DC - a Democratic stronghold - voters are also selecting a candidate for the party ahead of November’s mayoral election.
Oklahoma will hold races to help decide US senate and gubernatorial candidates.
Ahead of November’s midterms, Trump has given his early backing to Kevin Hern…

Trump may be trying to wind down his conflict with Iran,
but he is escalating his war with Senate Republicans.
Trump blindsided his supposed allies in the Senate on Wednesday with a rocket of a social media post from across the Atlantic,
tying together a host of his pet peeves about the Senate while yanking his new nominee for national intelligence director from his confirmation hearing just hours before it was to occur.
It was an extraordinary move from a president w…

Trump Feuds With Thune and G.O.P., Stoking Election-Year Rift
The president upended the majority leader’s plans by yanking his intelligence nominee from a confirmation hearing and insisting on an end to the filibuster.

Now that Graham Platner has ended his campaign after a rape allegation that he denies,
Maine voters and state party leaders are warning Chuck Schumer and other Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., not to intervene in the process the state party is using to replace Platner.
All the leading candidates running to replace Platner have signaled interest in replacing Schumer as leader after the midterms.

Maine Democrats to Chuck Schumer: Stay Out of Our Senate Race
Local Democrats are warning the top Senate Democrat to keep away as they replace Graham Platner, and the candidates are giving his leadership in Washington low marks.

Primaries in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming held on Tuesday provided the latest view into how voters are feeling ahead of November’s US midterm elections.
One candidate aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) netted an extraordinary win
while another was defeated handily.
Donald Trump’s handpicked candidates received a mixed reception from voters.
In Alaska, voters chose their fighters for one of the year’s marquee US Senate races,
and in Florida, e…

A democratic socialist win and losses for Trump allies: takeaways from primaries in three key states
Elections in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming provide a sense of how voters are feeling ahead of November’s midterms

Donald Trump hates voting and he hates democracy.
This is not really in dispute.
But just in case anyone forgot,
he reminded us again last week when he unexpectedly and churlishly declared on Truth Social that
he would not sign the ROAD to Housing Act
which had passed with massive bipartisan support
(358-32 in the House; 85-5 in the Senate).
“Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled
until such time as we pass the desper…

Donald Trump hates democracy, housing bill edition
Republicans enraged the president by trying to listen to their constituents.

House Adopts $95 Billion G.O.P. Budget for Iran War
Republican leaders muscled through resistance in their own ranks to approve the budget blueprint for the war and other measures,
but its prospects are far dimmer in the Senate
House Republicans on Wednesday won narrow approval of their $95 billion budget plan to fund the war with Iran
and impose new election restrictions that Trump has demanded,
muscling through dissent in their ranks to send the measure to a …

House Adopts $95 Billion G.O.P. Budget for Iran War
Republican leaders muscled through resistance in their own ranks to approve the budget blueprint for the war and other measures, but its prospects were far dimmer in the Senate.

The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a stopgap measure to head off a government shutdown until early December,
with its Republican leaders seeking to defuse a volatile issue in the run-up to the November midterm elections.
The continuing resolution authorizing government spending until 4 December passed by a vote of 220-205,
roughly along party lines.
It next heads to the Senate, where it will need to win bipartisan support to clear the chamber.
T…

House passes spending bill to head off government shutdown before midterms
Measure authorizes spending until 4 December as Republicans seek to avoid volatile issue in election season